Foldable child enclosure

Abstract

A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A foldable enclosure apparatus for a child comprising:
 an upper assembly forming an upper portion of the enclosure; 
 a base assembly connected to the upper assembly forming a lower portion of the enclosure and comprising a plurality of base legs provided in an X-shaped configuration; and at least four lower corner assemblies such that each of the plurality of base legs is connected to at least one of the four lower corner assemblies; 
 a side structure connecting the upper assembly to the base assembly; and 
 a hub assembly connected to the base assembly and centrally located with respect to the four corner assemblies; 
 wherein the operation of the hub assembly causes relative movement of the base assembly consistent with an open position and a closed position of the apparatus in response to movement of the hub assembly, and 
 wherein each of the at least four lower corner assemblies includes at least one wheel and each wheel is set at an angle such that an axis of rotation of the wheel is generally perpendicular to a plane of at least one of the plurality of base legs. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hub assembly further comprises:
 a handle for deploying the apparatus between an open position and a closed position; and 
 a mounting structure operatively connected to the handle. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hub assembly is movable in a linear vertical direction such that the movement of the hub assembly causes a relative movement of the base assembly. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper assembly further comprises one or more latch connectors. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hub assembly further comprises:
 a handle for deploying the apparatus between an open position and a closed position; 
 a collar; 
 a mounting structure positioned below the collar; and 
 at least one link having a first end pivotally connected to the collar and a second end pivotally connected to at least one of the base legs. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the base legs is pivotally connected to the mounting structure. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the at least one link is pivotally connected to the collar by rivets. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second end of the at least one link is pivotally connected to at least one of the base legs by rivets. 
     
     
       9. A foldable enclosure apparatus for a child, comprising:
 an upper assembly forming an upper portion of the enclosure, the upper assembly having upper arms; 
 a base assembly connected to the upper assembly forming a lower portion of the enclosure, the base assembly having a plurality of first base legs and a plurality of second base legs positioned beneath the first base legs; 
 a side structure having a plurality of posts connecting the upper assembly to the base assembly; and 
 a hub assembly pivotally connected to the plurality of first base legs and the at least one second base leg, 
 wherein operation of the hub assembly causes relative movement of the upper assembly and the base assembly consistent with an open position and a closed position of the apparatus in response to movement of the hub assembly such that the foldable enclosure apparatus remains substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the apparatus as the apparatus moves between the open and the closed position. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hub assembly is centrally located with respect to the base assembly. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hub assembly comprises:
 a handle for deploying the apparatus between an open position and a closed position; 
 an upper structure operably connected to the handle and comprising a collar; 
 a shaft extending through the collar; 
 a lower structure operably connected to the upper structure by the shaft; and 
 at least one link having a first end pivotally connected to the collar and a second end pivotally connected to at least one of the first base legs. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one second base leg is pivotally connected to the lower structure. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of upper base legs are pivotally connected to the lower structure. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the upper assembly further comprises one or more latch connectors. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hub assembly is movable in a linear vertical direction such that the movement of the hub assembly causes a relative movement of the base assembly. 
     
     
       16. A foldable enclosure apparatus for a child, comprising:
 an upper assembly forming an upper portion of the enclosure, the upper assembly having upper arms; 
 a base assembly connected to the upper assembly forming a lower portion of the enclosure, the base assembly having a plurality of first base legs and at least one second base leg; 
 a side structure having a plurality of side posts connecting the upper assembly to the base assembly; and 
 a hub assembly pivotally connected to the plurality of first base legs and the at least one second base leg, 
 wherein operation of the hub assembly causes relative movement of the upper assembly and the base assembly consistent with an open position and a closed position of the apparatus in response to movement of the hub assembly, and 
 one of the plurality of first base legs and the at least one second base leg are pivotally connected to at least one of the side posts such that the first base leg is positioned above the second base leg. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the hub assembly is centrally located with respect to the base assembly. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the hub assembly is movable in a linear vertical direction such that the movement of the hub assembly causes a relative movement of the base assembly. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the upper assembly further comprises one or more latch connectors.